Was reading a report about Walker, and found out that Seth Payne won't make the trip to Denver with the team. Capers thinks he'll play Sept 2nd against Tampa Bay.

Quote:

ACHES AND PAYNES: Six active Houston Texans players will not travel to Denver for the game Friday night against the Broncos, with injuries old and new keeping them home to train.

Most notable among the homebound Texans was nose tackle Seth Payne, who has been practicing for two weeks and was hoping to get his first game action since last September, when he tore a ligament in his left knee at New Orleans.

While agreeing Payne could play if it were a regular season game, coach Dom Capers said Wednesday he felt more comfortable sitting him out and playing him Sept. 2 against Tampa Bay.

"The most important thing is this will give him a good chance to get two days of work while we're gone, and he'll get the specified amount of (playing) time next week," Capers said of Payne, who has endured three knee operations in the past 12 months.

Staying home with Payne this week be another player recovering from knee surgery from last fall, rookie safety Glenn Earl.

Texans getting their first exhibition playing time this summer at Denver will be RB Domanick Davis (ankle) and DL Junior Ioane (knee).

Three other players are on the physically unable to perform list and aren't eligible to play in preseason: S Ramon Walker (knee), TE Bennie Joppru (groin) and rookie QB B.J. Symons (knee).

BUS STOP: Like just about all of his teammates, Texans rookie cornerback Dunta Robinson had a tough night last weekend in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers rolled Houston 38-3.

He did earn one badge of honor, though. The 174-pound defensive back had to take on 255-pound running back Jerome Bettis three times, downing him in each instance.

"I made sure I kept up with that stat," said Robinson, drafted No. 10 overall more for his ability to shut down receivers than take down bruising rushers like "The Bus."

It wasn't without cost. Robinson had a stiff shoulder earlier this week.

"It was like running into a brick wall at full speed," Robinson said of the experience. "I saw two of him when I got up. It's rough, but that's the game."

REPEAT MEETING: For the third straight year, the Texans will play a regular season opponent in the preseason.

Asked about it Wednesday, coach Dom Capers said it would bother him more if the regular season rematch occurred in the first month of the season. In each case -- the New York Giants in 2002, Tampa Bay last year and Denver this season -- the game that counted came in November or December.

"I don't think it's much of a concern," Capers said. "Both teams are getting to know each other's personnel but beyond that -- X's and O's wise -- there's not too much to it."

For the record, the Texans have a 1-1 regular season record in such games, having beaten the Giants 16-14 in 2002 after losing to them in the Hall of Fame game that summer.

EXTRA POINTS: RB Tony Hollings is feeling better after hurting his ribs at Pittsburgh last weekend. "We've kept him out of contact all week, but he's gotten better every day," coach Dom Capers said. With starting RB Domanick Davis set to play only two or three series, Hollings can expect plenty of work Friday at Denver. ... TE Matt Murphy, who has a chance to make the final roster because of Bennie Joppru's groin injury, made a spectacular one-handed catch in the end zone during Wednesday's practice session. ... SS Eric Brown, who spent four seasons with the Broncos, said the mile-high altitude can be a "difference-maker" for teams not used to it. "Hopefully I still have a little bit of that Colorado air in me to last," he said.

Looks like DeLoach at nose tackle and Sears at Gary Walker's DE spot to start the Denver game.

IMO, the only real game-planning in the Denver game will be for the blocking schemes of the offensive line. I don't imagine Dom will show too much against a team we will play again in the regular season.

so lemme get this straight, Payne still hasn't seen a snap of action since the Saints last year, and Walker had an MRI this week? Good thing we paid so much attention to the D-line this year!! Well, maybe our savior Babin, or Babs as some of you so affectionately call him, can move in and play one DT position, and Smith can play the other, and we can just take all of the GD tweeners we drafted last year and play the first ever 2-5 defense.

I think Payne should play. Even if it is for only a few series. He needs to test it. If he is going to hurt his knee, he is going to hurt his knee. I still think we should have drafted a DT like wilfork or tubbs.

This is from NFL Countdown, its way too early I know, but I found their pick interesting altough I strongly disagree with the Texans having such a bad season they actually drop to the 6th spot???? Oh well back to subject-

6. Houston Texans: Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas

The Texans made a splash in free agency by signing Robaire Smith and brining back Gary Walker, but they still don't have a true impact defensive lineman. Seth Payne is very solid in the middle but he isn't getting any younger and is coming off a major injury. An impact performer since his true freshman year with the Longhorns, Wright figures to be one of the elite prospects available should he declare for the 2005 NFL Draft and this might even be too low for him. Don't rule out an offensive tackle here though, especially if youngster Seth Wand fails to develop on the left side.

I'm Glad they are holding Payne out one more game. I do worry about the Walker and Payne's health though. Walker really seems to be at the point where big guys can break down in a hurry. Groins are an injury that do not heal fast or complete w/out a lot of rest. I hope this does not become a chronic problem htis year.